My research, published last month in the Journal of Sporting Cultures and Identities, found that collectively, the eight [male-becoming-female] subjects got much slower after their gender transitions and put up nearly identical age-graded scores as men and as women, meaning they were equally — but no more — competitive in their new gender category. (The outlier was a runner who had raced recreationally as a 19-year-old male and became serious about the sport — doubling her training load and shedding 22 pounds — years later as a female.)

Mark raised the oh-so-scary specter of former men taking women’s titles from athletes born female. Joanna noted that transgender women are under-represented in women’s sports. Thus any War on Women’s Sports is a bunch of conspiratorial hooey.

With M45 wingnut Tucker (a former San Diegan, but don’t blame me ), Joanna said trans athletes in high school shouldn’t be eligible for state-meet titles. That took the steam out of Tucker’s plan to mock her stance.

Outsports said:

When Carlson disagrees with a guest, which is his favorite pastime, he is quick to jump on them. This time he was completely shocked that Harper suddenly turned her direction and made his own point for him.

Carlson was silent for exactly 1.6 seconds, a Fox News record for the host.

He was clearly taken aback by Harper’s even-handedness on the issue, something she has genuinely developed over time. She truly believes that trans athletes, even in high school, should face some mandated hormone therapy to win trophies in girls sports. It’s a position with which various LGBTQ advocates disagree.

The bottom line: I’m sorry for Tucker’s booker, who didn’t warn the boss. Joanna avoided becoming a foil for ridicule (except in the insane YouTube comments).

A perceptive comment on YouTube: “I love that Tucker the douchebag was so ready to rip her, and then she basically agrees with him, and the idiot is left speechless multiple times.”﻿

About the Author

Ken has followed track as an athlete, writer and webmaster since the late 1960s, and saw most sessions of track and field at the 1984 Los Angeles and 1996 Atlanta Olympics. He also attended the 1988, 1992, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 Trials. He worked for 10 newspapers and now reports for Times of San Diego. Write him at TrackCEO@aol.com or kens@timesofandiego.com. Story tips always welcome!

I watched the segment with Tucker when it aired live. Joanna does have a very rational perspective on this issue, and stated it clearly on the show. As a regular viewer of Tucker Carlson, I’m accustomed to watching him sparing with his guests, and leaving many of them flustered. This was a nice change of pace with Joanna stating her view without interruption.

Too bad I missed her with Mark Steyn. I’m sure it was at least as good.

I will admit to being entertained by both Tucker and Mark, it’s about time that someone (anyone!) leaves them speechless.

Side note; not everyone we disagree with is a doofus or douchbag, and not everyone we agree with is a genius.

Side note #2; YouTube comments are likely the most ridiculous, with the opposing sides exposing the many reasons why people in our great country cannot come to agreement over too many issues. How about a little compromise?

I am glad you enjoyed the segment Greg. For the record I have described both Tucker and Mark as being very civil during our discussions. I appreciate the fact that Fox News has twice allowed to go on the air in order to present my views. My segment with Mark is six months old but you can still find it easily on YouTube.

Shame on you Ken! “Personal attack is always the first place of refugee for someone who doesn’t have a valid argument” This was a very civil discussion, with both sides showing respect for the other. How you could watch and then call Tucker Carlson a doofus is incomprehensible. Everynight, he brings clowns on to his show, and then lets them parade their absurdities, while questioning when and how their positions evolved! The fact that the majority of his guests look worse after their appearance might be the result of their positions being illogical and comical in the first place, which is why they’re on the show!! I repeat…SHAME ON YOU!!

“News idiot, moron, cuckoohead and crazyman” have the same effect for the person saying it…YOU!! At least I don’t need to bother reading anymore of your ‘rants’, seeing how evenhanded and objective you are…NOT!!

Edward, I suggest you look in the mirror. In your first post you state, “Personal attack is always the first place of refugee for someone who doesn’t have a valid argument”. Three sentences later you state, “Every night, he brings clowns on to his show”.

Except my comments were not of a personal nature, just an observation of the ‘clowns’ paraded on his show, who, by his own admission, are sought out for their extreme, often comical buffoonery. Since I didn’t single out any individuals, ‘personal attack’ is impossible…by definition!! May I suggest a dictionary before your next post!!

I was interested in watching the clips, and I must admit having a moderate amount of skepticism that what I would hear would be something I agreed with. That being said, I thought Joanna was measured, reasonable, and well-informed in her response and in the ideas she expressed. I was impressed, and thoroughly enjoyed her fantastic interviews.

Michael W: Except my comments were not of a personal nature, just an observation of the ‘clowns’ paraded on his show, who, by his own admission, are sought out for their extreme, often comical buffoonery. Since I didn’t single out any individuals, ‘personal attack’ is impossible…by definition!! May I suggest a dictionary before your next post!!

I attended the 73rd Annual New England Outdoor Track & Field Championship at the University of New Hampshire on June 9, 2018. The 100 m and 200 m girls events were won by the Connecticut athlete who broke the state records for girls in Connecticut after switching from competing against boys to competing against girls. I felt very sorry for the real girls who were bumped down a position because this individual was allowed to compete as a girl. Results can be found at http://www.lancertiming.com.

Your use of derogatory terms in describing Tucker Carlson only lessons your legitimacy as a writer. He listened to Joanna’s opinions with respect and asked respectful questions for clarity. Not sure why you felt it necessary to take that route but I assume it was to appeal to a certain population of readers of which I won’t become. Another media individual with an agenda…. Too bad 🙁

I totally agree with Rick. Tucker was quite respectful and his pauses reflected his own consideration of Joanna’s thoughtful opinion. Ken is being rather juvenile in his characterization here.

BTW my (minor) disagreement with Joanna her is that I feel that biological females should be able to cross the line first in winning a state title. Let the trans kids complete in an exhibition until they are adults and on proper hormone therapy.

A meeting to discuss theOMA/AO Memorandum of Understanding will be held on Wednesday, November 21, 2018, 6:30pm at the offices of Athletics Ontario. Variety Village 370 Danforth Avenue, ScarboroughOMA Board members will be present, and all OMA members are welcome to attend.

Great to see a supplement company supporting masters athletes, and in my target of the World Masters athletics indoor champs in Torun
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Jason Carty's story is a remarkable one and the World Masters sprint champion told it to @JohnShepherdFit during an interview which now features on our website and in our current magazine.
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Stewart Marshall @stewgodiva 🇬🇧 wins the #400meters final M35 in 49.37s. Full gallery of this event now up at https://t.co/qRppKa8EyB #WMAMalaga2018 #worldchampionships #trackandfield #masterstrackandfield https://t.co/e0CQ1vE68u

Yup! Politicians, she believes, “owe us an answer,” and so she, in her own very Terry Gross way will “keep asking and re-asking and asking, and maybe I’ll ask it in separate ways, and maybe I’ll point out that they haven’t yet answered the question.” https://t.co/5Jr9BdvtBx